Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-22 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2253 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday April 22, 2026 Ninety-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:39 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives D. Nelson, G. Nelson, and Coulombe be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Father Maxim Gibson of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With deep respect for the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer: Let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, accept our fervent supplication and bless the good intent and work of thy servants, that they may begin favorably, and may complete it unto thy glory without any obstacle. Do thou assist those working and direct the work of their hands, and cause it to be brought speedily to completion by the power of thy most Holy Spirit. For thine it is to be merciful and to save us, O our God, and unto thee do we send up glory, together with thy father who is without beginning, and thy most holy, good and life-giving spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2254 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Holland. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 92nd legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Story introduced Isabella Batty, Guest Page, from Juneau. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated April 21 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 214 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 214(FIN) by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 162 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 162 "An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date." 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2255 and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 162(CRA) "An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, modification, and repair of digital products; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Mears and Himschoot, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (1): Hall Do not pass (1): G. Nelson Amend (5): Holland, Prax, St. Clair, Mears, Himschoot The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 162(CRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Law HB 162 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 226 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 226 "An Act increasing the loan amount that is eligible for lower interest rates on certain Alaska Housing Finance Corporation loans." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 226(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): St. Clair, Holland, Himschoot, Story, Carrick 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2256 No recommendation (2): Vance, McCabe The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 226(STA): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 226 was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: In Memoriam - Valerie Jean "Jeannie" Nelson By Representatives Vance, Carrick, Schwanke The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Robert "Bob" Woolsey By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman Honoring - Aaron Christian Peterson By Representatives Saddler, Allard; Senator Merrick Honoring - Pat Dougherty By Representatives Gray, Holland; Senator Giessel Honoring - The Uqautilu?a Iñupiatun Immersion Program By Representative Frier; Senator Olson Honoring - I?isagvik College, 30th Anniversary By Representatives Frier, Stapp; Senator Olson Honoring - Ivan Moore By Senators Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki; Representative Galvin Honoring - Maria and Christopher Crawford By Senator Tobin; Representative Fields Honoring - The City of Valdez, 125th Anniversary By Senators Rauscher, Kawasaki; Representative G. Nelson 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2257 Honoring - Soldotna High School Lady Stars, 2025 ASAA State Wrestling Champions By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge In Memoriam - Barbara Ann Rands Hames By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman In Memoriam - Lillian Kisautaq Nageak By Representative Frier In Memoriam - Matt Hammer By Representative Saddler In Memoriam - Ralph Franklin Langham Jr. By Senator Rauscher; Representative G. Nelson In Memoriam - Wendy Wagner By Senator Bjorkman SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, In Memoriam - Valerie Jean "Jeannie" Nelson, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - Valerie Jean "Jeannie" Nelson By Representatives Vance, Carrick, Schwanke CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 52 The following was read the second time: 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2258 HOUSE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page HSS RPT CS(HSS) 6DP 1NR 955 FN1: ZERO(DFC) 955 FN2: ZERO(DFC) 955 FN3: (DOH) 955 FIN RPT CS(HSS) 9DP 1NR 1949 FN4: ZERO(DFC) 1949 FN5: ZERO(DFC) 1949 FN6: (DOH) 1949 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 52(HSS) (same title) Representative Ruffridge objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, CSHB 52(HSS) was adopted. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Vance: Page 2, line 17, following "AS 47.32.110(d)": Insert ", including a summary of any reports of abuse or neglect made as a result of the required wellness check" Page 3, line 14, following "safety.": Insert "The interview must include a standardized age-appropriate wellness check on the minor with questions designed to identify signs of abuse, including physical injury or neglect, mental injury, or sexual abuse or exploitation. When there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect has occurred, the designated agent or employee of the 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2259 Department of Health shall ensure that the matter is documented and immediately referred to the office in the Department of Family and Community Services with responsibility for child protection, law enforcement, and other investigative authorities with jurisdiction. The Department of Health shall, consistent with applicable confidentiality and safety requirements, provide timely notification to the minor's parent or legal guardian of the interview and any concerns noted in the interview." Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Kopp objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 52(HSS) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 52(HSS) am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CSHB 52(HSS) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 52(HSS) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Coulombe, D.Nelson, G.Nelson And so, CSHB 52(HSS) am passed the House. 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2260 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 52(HSS) am was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 249 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 249 "An Act relating to the transfer of a vehicle to an insurance company." with the: Journal Page L&C RPT CS(L&C) 6DP 1835 FN1: ZERO(ADM) 1835 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 249(L&C) (same title) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 249(L&C) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 249(L&C) will advance to third reading on the April 24 calendar. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 133 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 21 calendar (page 2247), was read the third time: 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2261 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 133(FIN) am "An Act establishing deadlines for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code; establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations; relating to reports from state agencies to the legislature detailing late payments made during 2026; relating to the state financial transactions Internet website; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 133(FIN) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 133(FIN) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 27 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Schrage, Story, Stutes, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Bynum, Elam, Johnson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski Excused: Coulombe, D.Nelson, G.Nelson And so, CSHB 133(FIN) am passed the House. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 133(FIN) am was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 262 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 21 calendar (page 2243), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 262 "An Act increasing the number of superior court judges in the third judicial district; and providing for an effective date." 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2262 The question being: "Shall HB 262 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 262 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Coulombe, D.Nelson, G.Nelson And so, HB 262 passed the House. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 262 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SENATE RESOLUTIONS IN SECOND READING SCR 19 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was held in second reading from the April 21 calendar (page 2249), would be held in second reading to the April 24 calendar: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2263 Honoring - Debra Corbett By Representatives Gray, Galvin; Senator Dunbar Honoring - The Pacific Community of Alaska, 5th Anniversary By Representatives Mina, Gray; Senator Tobin Honoring - Glenda D. Ledford By Senators Tilton, Yundt; Representative Underwood Honoring - Debbra Brewer By Senator Claman Honoring - Fairbanks Art Association, 60th Anniversary By Senator Kawasaki In Memoriam - Amber Dawn Wright By Representative Carrick In Memoriam - Tony Dean Peter By Senators Kawasaki, Cronk; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Richard "Dick" Farris By Senator Kawasaki UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 52 Representatives Josephson, Story, Schrage, Mina, and Costello added as cosponsors to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 52(HSS) am "An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date." HB 133 Representative Stutes added as a cosponsor to: 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2264 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 133(FIN) am "An Act establishing deadlines for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code; establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations; relating to reports from state agencies to the legislature detailing late payments made during 2026; relating to the state financial transactions Internet website; and providing for an effective date." HB 249 Representative Stutes added as a cosponsor to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 249(L&C) "An Act relating to the transfer of a vehicle to an insurance company." SB 187 Representatives Josephson and Holland added as cross sponsors to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(EDC) "An Act prohibiting certain food additives in public school meals; and providing for an effective date." ENGROSSMENT HB 52 CSHB 52(HSS) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 133 CSHB 133(FIN) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 262 HB 262 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. 2026-04-22 House Journal Page 2265 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: Resources Committee CANCELED ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 24. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:43 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk